Pikeminnow Reward Season Opens

by Staff
BPA Journal, May 2005

The popular pikeminnow fishing season opens this year
on May 2 for the lower Columbia River and May 16 for
the upstream and the Snake River. BPA funds this sport
reward program that has removed nearly 2.4 million
of the salmon-eating predators from the Columbia since
it began in 1990. Last year alone, anglers turned in
268,000 of the predators. Besides helping save salmon,
this program offers sport and fun for individuals and
families who like to fish.

This year's program will pay higher reward amounts.
The first 100 fish over nine inches long will earn
$4 each; the next 300 will earn $5 each; and after the
first 400 fish, all will earn $8 each. The reward also
goes up for the specially tagged fish that are released
into the river. Each of those caught will earn $500.

Information about where to find northern pikeminnow,
how to fish for them and how to qualify for the sport

reward program is available from the Washington Sport
Reward Hot Line at (800) 858-9015. For voucher
information, call (800) 769-9362 or (503) 595-3297 in
Portland. Visit the Web site at www.pikeminnow.org.